Kyle Abraham Quotes

Powerful Kyle Abraham for Daily Growth

About Kyle Abraham

Kyle Abraham, born on September 6, 1973, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an acclaimed American dancer, choreographer, and artistic director known for his groundbreaking work that blends contemporary dance, hip-hop, and traditional African movements. Raised in a predominantly African-American neighborhood, Abraham was heavily influenced by the urban environment and the diverse cultural tapestry of his hometown. His passion for dance began at an early age when he joined the Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPA) in Pittsburgh. In 1990, Abraham moved to New York City to further his dance education, studying at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's inaugural Fresh Tracks program. He later joined the company as a member in 1995, where he gained critical acclaim for his powerful performances and innovative choreography. Abraham founded his own company, Abraham.In.Motion (AIM), in 2000. The company's mission is to explore the dynamic complexities of the human condition while celebrating African-American culture and history. Some of his most notable works include "When the Rainbow Goddess Wept," "The Radio Show," and "Dearest Home." In 2019, Abraham was appointed Artistic Director at the Ailey company, becoming the youngest person and the first African-American man to hold that position. His influence extends beyond dance as he has been featured in several documentaries, including "Dancing in Jaffa" and "The Out List." Through his art, Abraham seeks to challenge societal norms, confront racial inequality, and create a space for open dialogue about identity and cultural expression. He is considered one of the most important contemporary dance artists today, pushing boundaries and inspiring generations of dancers and choreographers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body."

This quote emphasizes that dance serves as a unique, non-verbal expression of one's inner emotions or feelings, similar to how the mind communicates with the body. In essence, it suggests that through the art of dance, individuals can reveal their deepest thoughts, dreams, and sentiments in a way that transcends traditional language, allowing for an intimate connection between the performer and audience.


"Art is not about defining ourselves; it's about asking questions."

This quote suggests that art, as created by Kyle Abraham, is not merely a means to establish or define one's identity, but rather a tool for exploration and questioning. It encourages us to use artistic expression not only to express who we are, but more importantly, to delve deeper into the unknown, to seek answers to the enigmas of life, and to engage in thought-provoking dialogues that stimulate personal growth and societal understanding.


"I want to make work that's meaningful and that speaks to the human spirit."

Kyle Abraham desires to create art that is significant, resonating with the essence of humanity. His goal is to produce works that evoke emotions, stimulate thought, and communicate universal truths about the human condition. In essence, he aspires to engage his audience on a deep, meaningful level through dance.


"The power of dance comes from its ability to express our deepest emotions without words."

This quote by Kyle Abraham emphasizes the profound, universal language of dance. Dance is a form of non-verbal communication that transcends linguistic boundaries, allowing individuals to convey complex feelings and experiences with immense depth and nuance. By dancing, we can share our deepest emotions, stories, and insights in a way that words alone may struggle to capture. In essence, dance serves as a powerful tool for self-expression and empathy, enabling us to connect deeply with ourselves and others on an emotional level.


"In my work, I try to create a world where you can experience many different aspects of the human condition."

This quote suggests that Kyle Abraham's creative works aim to reflect the diverse and multifaceted nature of human experiences. Through his art, he strives to construct an environment or narrative that allows viewers to engage with various emotional, intellectual, social, and psychological aspects inherent in being human. Essentially, he seeks to mirror life's richness and complexity within the context of artistic expression.


A lot of the time, when I'm choreographing, I'm not thinking about what movement look best next to the next movement - I'm actually thinking about what song and what sound sounds right next to the next thing. So kind of choreographing as if I'm always making a mix tape, so to speak.

- Kyle Abraham

Sound, Next, About, Mix

The first dance performance I saw was Joffrey Ballet doing 'Billboards' to Prince.

- Kyle Abraham

Performance, Doing, Saw, Prince

I love Pittsburgh because it's a humble city. It's really grounded in its rich history and culture.

- Kyle Abraham

Love, Humble, City, Pittsburgh

Ralph Lemon is my idol. But music is my biggest passion. Frank Ocean's 'Pyramids' is on repeat. That kind of stuff with Frank Ocean makes me cry.

- Kyle Abraham

Kind, Frank, Ralph, Repeat

I started dancing in my room... I wanted to find out more about my movements. I wanted to elaborate on whatever it was that I was doing there.

- Kyle Abraham

Dancing, Doing, Elaborate, Movements

Middle and high school is a time of people telling you who you are before you know who you are. I was in advanced classes at Frick and Schenley, and people would say I was trying to be white because of the way I spoke. Or they'd say I was gay.

- Kyle Abraham

Before, Telling, Advanced, Classes

I guess it's hard work... whatever the decision is, how to show it to people that aren't necessarily dancers, how to get people to think about more than themselves.

- Kyle Abraham

Decision, Think, Dancers, Guess

I didn't have good grades until I started dancing, because I didn't try - I didn't see the point. Once I realized why I wanted to go to college, I started to study and do well. I knew I had to have a certain GPA to get in.

- Kyle Abraham

College, Dancing, Study, Grades

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